Estevanico of Azamor, a Moorish Muslim, began exploring America in the 16th century. He landed in Florida in 1527, and until 1539, explored Arizona and New Mexico. In 1587, a shipload of Muslim Moriscos landed and settled in the coastal towns of South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and along the western belt of North Carolina mountains.[2]

In 1790, the South Carolina legislative body granted a special statute to a community of Moroccans, as the Sultan of Morocco had recognized the United States in 1787.[3]

In 1888, Alexander Russell Webb is considered by historians to be the earliest prominent Anglo-American convert to Islam. In 1893, he was the only person representing Islam at the first Parliament for the World's Religions.[2]

Slaves

Estimates of the percentages of Muslim slaves as a total of the whole vary from 10-20%.[2] More than 50% of all slaves brought to America came from areas under the influence of Islam.[4] Muslim slaves first arrived in what is now the United States during the 1520's. These were the Senegambians, who were known to believe in Allah and abstain from beer and pork.[3] Two of the best known early Muslims are West Africa slaves: Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, who was brought to America in 1731.[3]

There exists evidence that Muslim slaves, despite living in a society hostile to slaves, assembled commnal prayers. In some cases Muslim slaves were provided a private praying area bby their owner. Bilali, a notorious Muslim slave, is known to have fasted, wear a fez and kaftan and observe the Muslim feasts in addition to his prayers. Many Muslim slaves conversed in the Arabic language. Some even wrote literature (such as an autobiographies) and chapters from the Quran. [5]

Views of Islam

In 1796, then president John Adams signed a treaty declaring the United States had no "character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen".[6]

Modern immigration

Small scale migration to the U.S. of Muslims began in 1840, with the arrival of Yemenites and Turks,[3] and lasted until World war I. Most of the immigrants, from Arab areas of the Ottoman Empire, came with the purpose of making money and returning to thier homeland. The economic hardships of 19th century America, however, prevented them from prospering. As a result the immigrants permanently settled. These immigrants setteld primarily in dearborn (Michigan), Quincy (Massachussets) and Rose (North Dakota).[2]

In 1919, what is most likely the first mosque, was founded by Albanian Muslims in Maine.[7] Construction of mosques sped up in the 1920s and 1930s, and by 1952, there were over 20 mosques.[2]